Police appeal for abuse victims to come forward

In 2013, a man contacted Operation Yewtree - a police investigation into sexual abuse allegations - alleging that he had been subjected to serious sexual abuse by Jimmy Savile while staying at Roecliffe Manor

Police are appealing for anyone who may have been sexually abused at a former children’s convalescent home - which has been linked to Jimmy Savile - to come forward.

The appeal is part of an ongoing investigation being conducted by detectives into Roecliffe Manor, in Woodhouse Eaves near Leicester, during the 1950s and 1960s.

As well as wanting to trace anyone who was sexually abused while at the home, they also want to hear from anyone who may have witnessed abuse taking place or who has information about sexual abuse at the premises.

Detective Superintendent David Sandall, who is leading the investigation, said: “We know that a large number of children stayed at the convalescent home for short periods of time during the 50s and 60s and we have already spoken to a number of them.

“The inquiry is ongoing and as well as investigating any alleged crimes we are working with other agencies that have specialist experience in supporting and helping victims of abuse.

“I would encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of sexual abuse to contact the specialist investigation team.”

Roecliffe Manor closed as a convalescent home in 1969 and the investigation was launched in June last year, following the publication of an NHS report into alleged abuse at the premises.

A Leicestershire Police spokesperson added: “The NHS report looked into abuse at the premises that could potentially be linked to Jimmy Savile and the information contained in that report is being investigated as part of our enquiry.”

In 2013, a man contacted Operation Yewtree - a police investigation into sexual abuse allegations - alleging that he had been subjected to serious sexual abuse by Jimmy Savile while staying at Roecliffe Manor Joe Moore’s Lane.

He was interviewed by Leicestershire Police in February 2013 and claimed that, between the ages of seven and nine, he came into contact with Savile on a number of occasions and was abused sexually.

The claim dates back to the late 1950s/early 1960s.

During a number of subsequent interviews, the informant described a man called Jimmy frequently visiting the now closed home in a campervan.

However, a report published on June 26, one of 35 issued by the Department of Health which provide disturbing accounts of Savile’s systematic abuse of children, said that investigators were not able to conclude that Savile was responsible for carrying out any sexual abuse on children at Roecliffe Manor, or that he ever visited Roecliffe Manor.

But the investigation did conclude that “sexual abuse of children residing at Roecliffe Manor is likely to have taken place, although the extent of such abuse is unknown”.

During the investigation, a woman also made a claim that she was sexually assaulted in a bath when she was seven years old at Roecliffe Manor during the same time period.

The investigator spoke to a small number of former staff and residents who said they could not recall Savile ever visiting the home and a search of official records also yielded no conclusive proof.

However, some former residents declined to speak to investigators.

Roecliffe Manor was used as a convalescent home for children from the 1930s until 1969.

It was purchased by the Leonard Cheshire Foundation in 1973 for use as a residential home.

The building is now a private residence.

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident number 238 of January 16 2015.

Victims can contact Juniper Lodge, in Leicester, on 0116 273 5461 for additional advice and support or the National Association for People Abused In Childhood (NAPAC).